Parade of the Old New Exhibition Opening Ceremony

The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center Inc. (The Clemente) is a Puerto Rican/Latino cultural institution that has demonstrated a broad-minded cultural vision and a collaborative philosophy. While The Clemente’s mission is focused on the cultivation, presentation, and preservation of Puerto Rican and Latino culture, it is equally determined to operate in a multi-cultural and inclusive manner, housing and promoting artists and performance events that fully reflect the cultural diversity of the Lower East Side and the city as a whole.

The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &Education Center

The Clemente  presents ‘Parade of the Old New’, a solo presentation of works by Zoe Beloff.

107 Suffolk St

The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural &amp; Educational Center presents ‘Parade of the Old New’, a solo presentation of works by Zoe Beloff including a large format mural on cardboard and a correlating publication. 

A panoramic history painting, acrylic on 40 x 60 inch corrugated cardboard panels. Total length 130 feet (39.5m) It is an allegory of the American body politic. The title is taken from a 1938 poem by Bertolt Brecht that inspired the theme of this work; now more than ever, we are not finished with the past and the past is not finished with us. The project was launched with Trump's inauguration and continued until he was defeated at the ballot box. It begins with the president's triumphal entry into Washington DC. Beyond stretches a country where the Mexican border walls meets Japanese internment camps from the 1940’s at a vanishing point. It chronicles the desecration of public lands for profit, the battle of Charlottesville, the arrest of undocumented workers across the country and the detention of asylum seekers at the border. It illustrates the toll of COVID 19, the work of the nurses, the breadlines, young people painting "Black Lives Matter” mapping a road ahead, the storming of the Capitol and finally the flickering light of what might be a new beginning.

The exhibition also includes an accordion book that reproduces Parade of the Old New. Created between 2017 and 2021, the picture is an allegory of the American body politic in dark times inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s poem. On the reverse of the accordion, you will find Beloff’s essay The Troublemakers: History Painting in the Real World .

The book ‘Parade of the Old New’ was published in August 2021
40 panel accordion book 12,2 x 19 cm, limited edition of 350
In the USA, the book can be purchased from Brooklyn

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Parade of the Old New Exhibition Opening Ceremony

More events from The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &Education Center

Discover more events from The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &Education Center, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in New York and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

Parade of the Old New Exhibition Opening Ceremony

More events from The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &Education Center

Discover more events from The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural &Education Center, from Arts to other experiences you might love.

More Arts events

Browse more Arts events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in New York and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.